Eco-Friendly Activites

If anyone asks what do you do to save planet earth, we give a very casual answer, what can we do alone? We do not realise if every one says, then who will do?

We are hardly realise that we are inviting a terrifying future for not only us but also for the generations to come. ‘Use & throw’ has become the mantra of today.

Amongst the few who do and not just say, Shree Aniruddha Upasna Foundation with its affiliated organisations and the Aniruddha’s Academy of Disaster Management (AADM) is a leading organisation which speaks through its work.The Organisation under the guidance of Dr. Aniruddha Joshi, foundly known as Param Pujya Aniruddha Bapu, has successfully implemented various projects for conservation of the environment and general awareness among both the urban and rural people.Under the guidance of P P Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu, several seva projects are implemented as part of the 13 point unique programme, I would like to share here some of them.

Eco – Friendly Ganesh Idols Project :

These days most of the Ganesh idols are made of PoP (Plaster-of-Paris). When these PoP idols are immersed in sea or inland water bodies such as lakes and streams, they dissolve slowly, and gradually release its harmful components and toxins.The toxic waste kills biological (plant) and zoological (animal) life in the water. .

In 2004, under the holy guidance of Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu, Aniruddha Aadesh Pathak started the activity of making eco-friendly Ganesh Idols from Ram Naam books which are generated and collected from Aniruddha’s Universal Bank of Ramnaam. This not only makes the idols eco-friendly but also makes them more pious and sacred. In this eco-friendly method Idols are made using paper pulp and other bio-degradable additives (e.g. natural gum, whitener, etc). Moreover non-hazardous eco-friendly paints are used to paint these idols.Idol making activity is now being at 46 places all over Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, etc. Aniruddha Aadesh Pathak has trained more than 1600 volunteers have successfully made more than 6000 idols this year with the biggest idol of 8 feet in height being created. The organization has imparted free training to all interested people, organizations and schools who want to help save the environment.

Old paper collected from people is converted into paper bags to use instead of non-biodegradable plastic. Paper pulp is used to make articles for distribution to needy students as incentive to go to school. These are then converted into such useful articles, as paper bags. Further, paper pulp made out of this paper is used to make articles such as Word chart, toys and alphabetical blocks, which are distributed to poor students as an incentive for them to attend school.

Vermiculture:

Vermiculture means artificial cultivation of earthworms. Vermicompost is the excreta of earthworms which is considered as one of the most effective and environment friendly fertilizers, without any harmful side effect. Earthworms eat cow dung and other solid wastes like household garbage and give out vermicompost. Municipal waste and non-toxic solid and liquid waste generated by industries can also similarly be converted into vermicompost. Earthworms not only convert garbage into valuable manure but also keep the environment healthy.The project was first started at the residence of volunteers, who created vermiculture bins from household items and with an initial ‘seed’ provided by the Aniruddha’s Academy of Disaster Management .*Following is the list of places where the Academy has conducted Vermiculture Training sessions in Mumbai .•SEBI•Naval Dockyard (Colaba)•Central Railway Workshop (Matunga)•FDC Ltd. (Jogeshwari)•Maharashtra State Bank•DIL Ltd (Thane)•Bhavans College (Andheri)•IES School (Marol)•Dr. Sarvapaali Radhakrishnan Vidyalaya,•Thane Mahanagar Palika School, etc.

The basic aims and objectives of this project are:1. Working towards a better environment by disposing off garbage and waste in a productive manner.2. Production of vermicompost through Vermiculture technology which can be put to effective use for:•Tree Plantation project•The supply of the produce to the drought prone areas and needy farmers.3. Zero garbage – Today each country speeds lakhs of rupees for solid waste management. By using vermiculture we can divert the use of this funds to productive use and thus leading to economic development of the count.

Tree Plantation:

Trees are one of the most important aspects of the planet we live in. Trees are vitally important to the environment, animals, and of course for us humans and all living beings. They are important for the climate of the Earth, they act as filters of carbon dioxide, they are habitats and shelters to millions of species, and they are also important for their aesthetic appeal. However, the trees on our planet are being depleted at a very fast rate. The destruction of the forests is occurring due to various reasons, one of the main reasons being the short-term economic benefits, increasing urbanization and as a means of fuel.There are a number of adverse effects of deforestation, such as Soil erosion, disruption of the water cycle, loss of biodiversity, flooding and drought etc. There has also been a considerable rise in the atmospheric temperature mostly attributed by the effects of the Global Warming. Stepping Stone:This need of the hour was realized by Param Pujya Aniruddha Bapu. The Tree plantation project took shape in the year 2003. Aniruddha’s Academy of Disaster Management initiated the Tree Plantation Activity in various parts of Maharashtra and Goa Region. The Academy aimed at planting more trees so as to minimize their shortfall and its severe impact to the greatest possible extent. Also when we plant and care for trees, we are making the future better for our family, our neighbourhood, our country and our world.“SAVE TREES SAVE LIFE” Aniruddha’s Academy of Disaster Management plants trees to get pure air, to bring down the temperature, to regulate the rainfall, to prevent floods; soil erosion, and to restrict the speed of wind. It not only plants the trees but also takes the after care till they grow completely. It aims to create maximum awareness amongst the masses on the importance of tree plantation.